Chapter 3

Days passed, the only difference being Isaac's persistence in targeting me. I've even started avoiding my walks in the forest — on a couple of occasions I felt someone watching me, and I'm nearly certain it was him.

My day began as usual. I completed my tasks and managed to eat a meal.

Today is a festival day in the Midnight Pack. Everyone gathers at every full moon to celebrate and enjoy themselves, because werewolves' powers grow stronger and more intense on these lunar nights.

Many take the opportunity to mate, since this is the period when everyone goes into heat and can produce new offspring. Wolves in heat tend to be somewhat violent. Unmarked females have to be very careful if they don't want to become victims on these moon nights, because the only ones who are untouchable are females already marked by their fated mates.

The day flew by, and tonight I retreat to my room as early as possible. Not that I think anyone has any interest in me — but I'm not going to be careless. The males seem wild and unhinged; their strength doubles during the full moon, and I would never be able to match any of them.

I don't feel the effects of the full moon. I'm empty. That leaves me a little frustrated, because in a way I really do wish I could be normal — not in terms of the heat, but in being able to feel a wolf spirit like everyone else and share in all its advantages.

I can hear the excitement of the other omegas in the dormitory hallway as they talk about their potential "passing romances." I find it amusing how different people's views are, because I'm the romantic type — I've always dreamed of finding my fated mate and living a beautiful love story. But that reality feels far away. So if I can't have a romance, I certainly won't let others use me just to satisfy their needs.

Hours pass and the moon is very close to its peak. I hear knocking at my door, and at the same moment my body reacts strangely. Who could be knocking on my room at this hour? I wonder in silence, not making a sound.

"I know you're in there, omega. Come out — the Alpha requests your presence!"

An omega's voice comes through the door. I ask myself why the Alpha would be requesting me.

"I won't say it again. He orders you to be in the east hall as quickly as possible."

I say nothing, and I hear her leave. Since it's the Alpha's order, I have to go even though every instinct tells me otherwise. I also have no pack bond, so I can't communicate by telepathy — the ability to exchange thoughts directly with another person without the use of physical senses.

Over my dress I pull on a coat. My pheromones aren't a problem — I don't go into heat like the others, so I won't attract attention. I'll pass unnoticed, unless someone has bad intentions toward me.

On the way I already see clusters of wolves, male and female. Some couples have clearly begun feeling the effects of the moon. Among our kind, what humans would call obscenity is simply normal, and it starts from something as basic as shifting and being unclothed.

I look up at the sky and can see the moon nearly at its fullest. I pick up my pace. I don't want to make the Alpha angry and give him a reason to punish me, especially under the full moon's influence.

I reach the entrance to the great hall and everything seems quiet. The streets outside are busy, but inside there doesn't seem to be anyone.

I push the door slowly, and the creak of the hinges sounds loud in the silence.

"Hello?"

I call out, and no one answers — which is strange, since I'm at the right address. Suddenly, half the lights come on and reveal who is behind all of this.